Bullseye 38 specail load
- Thread starter KY DAN
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From Alliant data, your loads are way over their max loads.
Check here for Alliant's data for Speer lead SWC bullets.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=158&shellid=26&bulletid=30
Check here for Alliant's data for Speer lead SWC bullets.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=158&shellid=26&bulletid=30
40-82
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Yes, it can cause serious problems. My guess is that if you're asking this you don't have experience reading pressures. You don't want to start with even maximum listed loads. Your particular gun may not handle a maximum listed load.
If velocity is what you want a medium load from a slower powder will get more velocity at less pressure.
If velocity is what you want a medium load from a slower powder will get more velocity at less pressure.
AJC1
Member
The first thing to look at is powder speed. Bullseye is a fast pistol powder, where a little gives a lot. The 38 special is a low pressure round in comparison to something like 9mm. If your looking for maximum velocities check something like power pistol or powders around that on the burn rate chart. I will assume you are trying to use what you have or can get, but you are playing a dangerous game and the repercussions could be catastrophic.
What's the purpose for this? While I'm with everyone who is against this idea we also offer solutions around here, so what's the need for a hot (in this load) WAY overboard 158 gr .38?
I was loading on a CH auto champ and I had two squibs loads out of 300 rounds and I am worried because I can't see inside the case. The measure was dropping 3.6 grauns of bullseye. And I just thought a larger doseage even if a issue was had would still make a functional round.
mcb
Member
You need to fix your press not up your charge. Figure out how to look in those cases. A light and small mirror might help.
A quick look at Quickload says 5.0 gr of Bullseye under a 158gr lead bullet is likely generating 20% over pressure for a 38 Special +P.
Agreed with mcb, fix the powder charging PROCESS. IDK how long the barrel is, but if you had a squib with bullseye, I'd hazard a guess that there was no powder in the case just a primer rather than some but not enough powder. Bullseye, even down to 3 gr, has never squibbed me. I've run 2"-5.5" barrels and I'd still say you had 2 missed charges, kicking up to overpressure loads will only damage you/your gun and you'll still run the risk of squibs with missing powder.
How about a couple manuals, one for loading and one for grammar?
Max means max. Stay safe.
AJC1
Member
Now that's a little personal, might slow your roll a little.
Powder charge vs pressures aren't necessarily linear. Meaning if you increase your lower to mid charge by .6 grains the pressure many rise a few hundred/thousand PSI, but if you add that same amount to a max. charge the pressures can spike by several thousand PSI. there is real reasons why reloading manuals have max charge suggestions...
.38 Special
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Bullseye is a very fast powder, and you have to be careful with it. I personally never try to make higher pressure rounds with it, and I certainly would never exceed published maximums. I generally reserve Bullseye for light target loads, when I use it at all.
As others have mentioned, your problem does not appear to be with the powder charge. 3.6 grains simply will not squib in a .38 Special. I have shot hundreds of thousands of loads with 2.7 grains of Bullseye and never had a squib. There is almost certainly something wrong with your charging process and it simply needs to be fixed. If you are occasionally getting low or no charges, it is also quite possible that at some point you may get a double charge or close to it. With Bullseye, that will make a mess of your gun, and quite possibly of you.
As others have mentioned, your problem does not appear to be with the powder charge. 3.6 grains simply will not squib in a .38 Special. I have shot hundreds of thousands of loads with 2.7 grains of Bullseye and never had a squib. There is almost certainly something wrong with your charging process and it simply needs to be fixed. If you are occasionally getting low or no charges, it is also quite possible that at some point you may get a double charge or close to it. With Bullseye, that will make a mess of your gun, and quite possibly of you.
Jim Watson
Member
Wow, that brings back AutoCHamp memories.
Mine would throw an occasional load of 1 grain of 700X which would clear the barrel but not go very far.
I called and asked what to do. The rep said I could file notches in the powder measure cam plate to vibrate the bar, or I could do what they did and load Win 231. I changed to 231 and have loaded most of my non-magnums with it for nearly 40 years. Long after the CH wore out.
But Bullseye is a fine grain powder and should measure very well, it does in my Dillon. I don't know why it would fail in the CH, it has a very simple powder measure.
Do NOT overload with Bullseye to try to flush it through the bushing. I tried that with 700X and it didn't work (I didn't exceed the published maximum load.)
Sorry I can't help - and I doubt CH will, they would not work on mine years ago because their insurance company had become afraid of "ammunition manufacturing equipment." They might still talk you through a problem and supply any parts they still have. If you come up with something specific needed to fix it, we can rob parts off mine.
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